U.S. patent number 5,921,890 [Application Number 08/952,334] was granted by the patent office on 1999-07-13 for programmable audible pacing device.
Invention is credited to Patrick Gerard Miley.
United States Patent |
5,921,890 |
Miley |
July 13, 1999 |
Programmable audible pacing device
Abstract
A programmable pacing device for helping a user to achieve a
desired pace or tempo. The device is capable of emitting a
plurality of different audible signals, each signal conveying
selected pacing information to the user, and may be used by
athletes to help in training or race pacing. The device may
comprise a single unit or two separate units; an input unit and a
signaling unit and as a single unit the device may form part of a
pair of swimming goggles.
Inventors: |
Miley; Patrick Gerard
(Inverurie Aberdeen AB51 4ZR, GB) |
Family
ID: |
10774515 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/952,334 |
Filed: |
November 14, 1997 |
PCT
Filed: |
May 16, 1996 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/GB96/01174 |
371
Date: |
November 14, 1997 |
102(e)
Date: |
November 14, 1997 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO96/36404 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
November 21, 1996 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
|
|
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May 16, 1995 [GB] |
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9509849 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/3; 2/426;
434/254; 351/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
71/0686 (20130101); A63B 33/002 (20130101); A63B
2071/0625 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
69/00 (20060101); A63B 33/00 (20060101); G04B
047/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;482/1-9,900-902 ;351/43
;2/410,425,426 ;434/247,254 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0 584 919 A2 |
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Mar 1994 |
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EP |
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2 472 772 |
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Jul 1981 |
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FR |
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92 16 805 U |
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Apr 1993 |
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DE |
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2 025 093 |
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Jan 1980 |
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GB |
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2 065 338 |
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Jun 1981 |
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GB |
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2 099 192 |
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Dec 1982 |
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GB |
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2 165 643 |
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Apr 1986 |
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GB |
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2 175 508 |
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Dec 1986 |
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GB |
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WO 87/05229 |
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Sep 1987 |
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WO |
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WO 92/21106 |
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Nov 1992 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Richman; Glenn E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Vincent; Matthew P. Pham; Chinh H.
Foley, Hoag & Eliot, LLP
Claims
I claim:
1. A portable electronic programmable pacing device (1,50) for
location on or adjacent a user's head, for assisting a user in
maintaining a desired pace or tempo, the device comprising:
a clock for measuring elapsed time;
a user programmable memory (4) capable of storing a plurality of
pacing sets, each pacing set comprising at least two different time
intervals, each time interval corresponding to selected pacing
information;
input means (13,15,17,19) for permitting a user to input said time
intervals;
an audible signal output device (45) capable of emitting series of
different audible signals, each series corresponding to one of said
pacing sets of time intervals; and switch means coupled to the
clock for activating the audible signal output device at said time
intervals.
2. A portable electronic programmable pacing device according to
claim 1 further comprising a display (11) for displaying time
interval information.
3. A portable electronic programmable pacing device according to
claim 2 further comprising a stopwatch feature wherein stopwatch
information is visualised on the display.
4. A portable electronic programmable pacing device according to
claim 1, wherein the clock measures in increments of tenths of a
second.
5. A portable electronic programmable pacing device according to
claim 1, wherein the clock measures in increments of hundredths of
a second.
6. A portable electronic programmable pacing device according to
claim 1, wherein each pacing set comprises pacing information
corresponding to a pace time interval and pacing information
corresponding to a course time interval.
7. A portable electronic programmable pacing device according to
claim 1, wherein the input means is keys provided on the
device.
8. A portable electronic programmable pacing device according to
claim 1, wherein the input means is a bar code reader, the bar code
reader being used in combination with a set of bar codes
corresponding to particular time interval data.
9. A portable electronic programmable pacing device according to
claim 1, wherein the audible signal device emits different
frequencies, lengths and/or arrangement of sounds for conveying the
pacing information to the user.
10. A portable electronic programmable pacing device according to
claim 1, where the device further comprises securing means for
securing the device on or adjacent the user's head.
11. A portable electronic programmable pacing device according to
claim 1 wherein the device further comprises securing means for
enabling the device to be secured in close proximity to an ear of a
user.
12. A portable electronic programmable pacing device according to
claim 11 wherein the securing means is a hinged flap (64) openable
to receive a strap or leg and closeable to secure the device
thereto.
13. A portable electronic programmable pacing device according to
claim 1, wherein the device comprises a separate input unit (3) and
a signaling unit (5), including memory,
whereby the input unit allows the user to input the relevant time
interval information and this information is down loaded to and
stored by the signaling unit, for emitting said audible signals,
conveying said time interval information to the user.
14. A portable electronic programmable pacing device according to
claim 1 wherein the device further comprises securing means for
enabling the device to be secured to a bicycle for use by a
cyclist.
15. A portable electronic programmable pacing device according to
claim 1, further including a heart rate monitor.
16. A portable electronic programmable pacing device according to
claim 1 wherein the device comprises a separable input unit and a
signaling unit, whereby the input unit allows the user to input the
relevant time interval information and this information is down
loaded to the signaling unit for emitting said audible signals to
the user.
17. Swimming goggles (70) including an electronic programmable
audible pacing device for helping a user to achieve a regular
stroke rate by emitting series of audible signals to the user at
time intervals input into the device, the device comprising:
a clock for measuring elapsed time;
a user programmable memory capable of storing a plurality of pacing
sets, each pacing set comprising one or more different time
intervals, each time interval corresponding to selected pacing
information;
input means (72,74) for permitting a user to input said time
intervals;
an audible signal output device capable of emitting series of
different audible signals, each series corresponding to one of said
pacing sets of time intervals; and
switch means coupled to the clock for activating the audible signal
device at said time intervals.
Description
The present invention relates to a programmable pacing device which
emits audible signals to a user at regular time intervals, the time
intervals being pre-programmed by the user. The user may for
example be a swimmer and the regular audible signals for pacing the
swimmer's strokes, providing split times and informing the swimmer
of his expected progress.
Proper pacing of athletes during training can permit accurate
control of the energy being expended by the athletes and is an aid
to improve performance. Top swimmers for example often use what are
termed lactate training timetables. Lactate training timetables are
tables that a swimmer uses as a guideline for predicting the amount
of Lactic Acid produced during aerobic and anaerobic exercise.
Entry points into the tables by individual swimmers are calculated
from blood samples taken from swimmers after performing
predetermined threshold swimming sets (i.e. sets designed to
produce lactic acid production in the volume expected to be at the
threshold of aerobic and anaerobic intensity for the individual
swimmer). The Tables provide an accurate set of target times for
particular swims with specified rest interval times, designed to
control the intensity of training sets. Taking advantage of this
facility enables swimmers and coaches to achieve more accurate
physiological adaption throughout a training programme. By
accurately pacing a swimmer it is easier to achieve the required
lactate level as defined in the tables. Training regimes dictate
when a particular lactate level is to be reached and the lactate
training timetables tell a swimmer how far and at what pace they
must swim in order to achieve the particular lactate level. At a
lower level pacing may still lead to overall improvements in
performance of the swimmer and can also simply be a fun and
effective way in which to learn to swim.
A small ring lap counter and sports timer is available under the
name SPORTCOUNT. The SPORTCOUNT (registered trademark) fits around
an athlete's index finger and is secured thereto.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,987 describes swimming goggles which comprise a
stopwatch mounted in a lens of the goggles. The swimmer can observe
the elapsed time in a digital display, but is given little
assistance in pacing strokes. Moreover, the swimmer may be
distracted while looking at the display and/or by mentally
calculating times, resulting in a loss of concentration.
EP584919 discloses swimming goggles which incorporate a visual
signalling device. The visual signalling device is typically an LED
(light emitting diode) which is set to flash a periodic signal in
front of the swimmer's eyes. While the periodic signal can be set
to help the swimmer achieve a desired pace, it still suffers from
the disadvantage that it may be distracting to the swimmers vision
and concentration.
WO 86/07644 describes a training device which can be set by a
sportsman to emit signal so as to help the sportsman during
training. The device is intended to be worn as a wristwatch, pocket
watch or on a neck strap.
It is an object of the present invention to obviate and/or mitigate
at least some of the above described disadvantages.
Generally speaking the present invention is concerned with an
improved pacing device that may be programmed to emit audible
signals to a user at time intervals which have been input and
stored in the device by the user.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is
provided a portable electronic programmable pacing device for
location on or adjacent a user's head, for assisting a user in
maintaining a desired pace or tempo, the device comprising:
a clock for measuring elapsed time;
a user programmable memory capable of storing a plurality of pacing
sets, each pacing set comprising at least two different time
intervals, each time interval corresponding to selected pacing
information;
input means for permitting a user to input said time intervals;
an audible signal device being capable of emitting series of
different audible signals, each series corresponding to one of said
pacing sets of time intervals; and switch means coupled to the
clock for activating the audible signal output device at said time
intervals.
The pacing device can be used for many sports and activities where
pacing and/or timing are an important factor. For example, the
pacing device may be used while swimming, cycling, running, rowing,
during equestrian events such as dressage, and whilst in teaching
aerobic or step-aerobic classes. The device may be used as a
programmable metronome for musicians or conductors or teachers of
music. The device may be used in the medical field for applications
such as a walking pace device to assist in a proactive medical
regime for example, as treatment for Parkinsons disease, or for
other physiological therapy based activities. The device may assist
the athlete and coach to train (or coach) more accurately by
guiding the athlete to progress at a preset pace or tempo. If the
device is to be used for a water sport or activity the device is of
course waterproof.
The device may further comprise a digital or alphanumeric display,
typically a liquid crystal display (LCD) or active matrix display
unit. This allows the user to visualise and confirm data, for
example, said time intervals, that have been input into the device.
Moreover, elapsed time as measured by the clock generally a
quartz-crystal clock, may also be visualised as a digital read-out
on the LCD. Preferably, the clock is accurate to fractions of a
second, typically, tenths or hundredths of a second. There can be a
mathematical adaption in the software made to input and indicate
stroke rate or rate as strokes/paces/steps per minute.
The user programmable memory may store a plurality of sets of time
intervals. The memory may retain the stored time intervals when the
device is switched off, in which case the stored time intervals
must be actively erased if a new set or sets of time intervals are
to be programmed into the memory. Alternatively, the memory may be
erased when the device is switched off.
Various time intervals may be stored by the memory, depending on
the user's needs. The time intervals may for example dictate the
user's pace and a time in which a course or a section of a course
should be completed (a so called "split time"). Thus, for example,
in the case of a swimmer, a pace time interval will correspond to
stroke rate indicated by time per stroke and a course time interval
may correspond to time taken to swim a length of a pool. Additional
data not in the form of time interval data may also be programmed
and stored by the memory. Such data may include the course length.
In the case of swimming, this may for example correspond to a 25
metre (short course) pool or a 50 metre (long course) pool or 33.3
metre pools or yardage pools if applicable. This may for example
allow a swimmer to be aware of the number of strokes he is carrying
out per length. A processor within the device permits the device to
calculate and accommodate multiple time intervals and to equate
this with any additional data entered into the device.
The input means for inputting said time intervals and any other
data may be keys or buttons provided on the device. Pressing of the
keys or buttons in a defined manner allows the device to be
programmed. Alternatively data may be fed using a bar code. Thus,
the device would further comprise a bar code reader for use with a
set of bar codes corresponding to particular pacing data. The
device may be scanned across the relevant bar codes, in order to
feed a particular time interval or data value into the device.
The switch means may be a comparator which receives at a first
input a clock signal derived from said clock mechanism and at a
second input one of said time intervals. The output of the
comparator is switched when the clock signal exceeds said time
interval causing an audible signal to be generated. Switching of
the comparator also causes said clock signal to be reset to a zero
or initialised state.
The audible signal device emits an audible signal or sound. The
audible signal may be in the form of a "bleep" or tone. Different
pitches or frequencies, lengths or arrangements of bleeps or tones
convey different pacing information to the user. For example on
starting the device a five bleep low pitch countdown may be emitted
by the device with a longer bleep to indicate the start time of a
set programme, this is in turn followed by a higher pitch pacing
bleep. A longer bleep may then indicate a split. The user can
easily assimilate this information and through the use of bleeps or
tones of varying frequency or length, the user can easily interpret
the information being conveyed and may act accordingly, that is,
speed up or slow down, or maintain current pace.
Alternatively, music having a rhythm or beat set to the
corresponding programmed time interval may be emitted by the
device. Furthermore, the audible signal may be a synthesised voice
or the like designed to emit a spoken words to the user. The
synthesised voice may express terms such as "stroke" and "split"so
as to indicate the timing of strokes and when the swimmer is
expected to reach a particular split interval. The voice synthesis
may be reprogrammed or programmed in by the user. Possibly in the
form of the users own voice or own choice of sounds.
The device may comprise a single unit or a two-piece unit. The
single unit is small enough to be worn comfortably by the user.
Preferably the unit is worn in close proximity to an ear. The
single piece unit may be shaped to fit round the outside of the ear
or alternatively comprise an ear piece which fits inside the ear.
The device may alternatively be held close to the ear by fitting
the device under a hat or swimming cap, indeed the device for
swimming can be located anywhere on the head as the attenuation of
sound through the skull in water is very effective. Optionally, the
device may further comprise a securing means to enable the device
to be secured in close proximity to the ear. The device may be
designed to be secured to the strap of swimming goggles or to the
leg portion of spectacles or eye-protectors. The securing means may
be arranged as a hinged flap which opens to receive a strap or leg
and which is then closed to secure the device thereto.
Alternatively the securing means may hook over the strap or leg and
secure the device thereto. In a preferred embodiment the device
forms an integral component of a pair of swimming goggles.
In an alternative two-piece construction, the device may comprise a
separable input unit and a signalling unit. The signalling unit is
carried by the user and comprises the audible signal device for
emitting said audible signals to the user. A signalling unit can be
held or secured close to the user's ear in a similar manner to that
described above. The input unit allows the user to input the
relevant data such as the time intervals and this information is
then stored by a memory in the input unit. The information is
relayed or downloaded to the signalling unit at an appropriate
time. The signalling unit may be coupled or connected to the input
unit and the information relayed by way of electrodes associated
with the input and signalling units.
Alternatively, the information may be relayed to the signalling
unit by way of infra-red transmission or radio transmission. This
allows remote programming, that is, a coach may input the relevant
time interval information into the input unit and remotely relay
this information to the signalling unit. A swimmer for example
carrying a signalling unit and following a pacing information
previously input, may have his pacing information changed by his
coach on the side of the pool and need not leave the water or
remove his signalling unit. It is also possible to program many
signalling units using a single input unit. Thus, a swimming coach
may have one input unit and a plurality of signalling units, each
of which can be programmed with time information specific to a
particular swimmer.
According to a second aspect the present invention provides
swimming goggles including an electronic programmable audible
pacing device for aiding a user to achieve a regular stroke rate by
emitting an audible signal to the user at time intervals input into
the device.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a two-piece pacing device
comprising an input unit and a signalling unit according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the input unit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front view of the signalling unit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram of the electrical circuitry of the input unit
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a diagram of the electrical circuitry of the signalling
unit of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a front view of a one-piece pacing device according to a
further embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 shows, in perspective, the pacing device of FIG. 6 secured
to a strap of a pair of swimming goggles;
FIG. 8 shows the pacing device of FIG. 6 when worn by a
swimmer;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a pair of pacing swimming goggles
according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 of the drawings shows an embodiment of a programmable pacing
device 1 according to the present invention, comprising an input
unit 3 and a signalling unit 5. Data such as relevant pacing time
intervals is entered into the input unit 3 and this information is
downloaded to the signalling unit 5 for use by the athlete or
swimmer.
The input unit 3 as is also illustrated in FIG. 2, comprises a
housing 7 which contains all the necessary electrical circuitry
including a microprocessor and a rechargeable battery unit. The
front face of the housing 7 features an on/off button 9, which
activates an LCD display 11. The LCD display 11 allows a user to
visualise data being input into the device so that the user can
confirm that the data has been input correctly. The data is entered
into the input unit by way of input buttons 13, 15, 17 and 19. The
data which can be input into the device includes stroke or pace
time intervals in seconds per pace/stroke, pace and split time
intervals. The split time represents a time in which a particular
course, for example, a length of a pool, should be completed.
Multiple sets up to a maximum of 60 sets of pace times and split
times may be entered in the input unit 3. Programming of the input
unit 3 will be described in detail later.
The input unit 3 further comprises a recess 21 into which the
signalling unit 5 is received. Electrodes 23 in the recess 21 make
contact with corresponding electrodes of the signalling unit 5.
Data from the input unit 3 is downloaded from the input unit 3 to
the signalling unit 5 by way of the electrodes 23, power to
recharge the signalling unit 5 is also transferred via the
electrodes 23.
A light emitting diode (LED) 25 illuminates when the input unit 3
is being recharged and a further LED 27 illuminates when the
signalling unit is connected to the input unit and is also being
recharged. An external charge source AC or DC 18 volts regulated or
12 volts unregulated may be connected to the input unit via socket
29 (as shown in FIG. 1) to allow the input unit and signalling unit
to be recharged.
FIG. 3 shows the signalling unit 5. The signalling unit 5 comprises
a housing 31 which contains the necessary electrical circuitry
including a microprocessor, a sounder and a rechargeable battery
unit. The signalling unit 5 further comprises a start/go button 33
and electrodes 35 for electrically coupling to electrodes 23 of the
input unit 3, as shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 shows a circuit diagram of the input unit 3. There is shown
the on/off button 9, LCD display 11, input buttons 13, 15, 17 and
19, electrodes 23 and recharge lights 25, 27. Additionally, there
is shown a microprocessor 37 from the 80C51 family (87C52), quartz
crystal 38 for use in accurately controlling the timing of the
device and a battery 39 for providing power to the input unit
3.
FIG. 5 shows the electrical circuitry found in the signalling unit
5 and includes the stop/go button 33 and electrodes 35. In
addition, there is also shown a microprocessor 41 from the 80C52
family (87L52), with an associated quartz crystal 43 and a sounder
45 which emits an audible signal to the user. Furthermore, there is
shown a battery 47 which provides power to the signalling unit
5.
An example of how the input device is programmed will now be given,
with particular reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings. It will be
appreciated that the programming regime which is to be described is
determined by software stored by the microprocessor. The following
is merely one example of how the device may be programmed. The
input unit 3 is first switched on using the on/off button 9 which
in turn activates the LCD display 11. The LCD displays information
input into the unit 3 allowing a user to visualise the input
information. The unit 3 stores the information programmed from the
previous input when the unit 3 is switched off. If a user wishes to
erase the stored information from the input unit, the user
depresses button 13 while switching the device on using button 9,
this then clears the previously stored information.
The LCD display 11 displays two lines of information. The first
line displays a leg number and the second line displays time
interval information. To program a first leg, button 19 is
depressed, this moves the cursor down to the second line. The first
time interval information to be input relates to the split time,
that is, the time the swimmer is to complete a given course length.
Depressing button 15 once, brings up ten seconds on the display and
each additional depression of button 15 increases the time interval
by one second intervals over that. Thus, a split time of fifteen
seconds would mean depressing button 15 six times. Pressing the
minus button, 17, can subtract the figures from 10 seconds down to
0 seconds or as required. Once the split time has been entered
correctly, button 19 is depressed and the display moves onto the
pace or stroke rate time interval. Button 15 is depressed to
increase the stroke rate by 0.1 second (intervals may be as
accurate as 0.01 second by adjusting the software) until the
desired time is shown in the LCD display 11.
If a mistake is made at any time it is possible to reduce the
figure by depressing button 17 which acts in reverse to button 15
and thus subtracts from the input time interval or goes back
through the program sequence in reverse. Once the user is satisfied
with the pace time, button 19 is depressed and the first leg is
thus stored by the unit 3. The user can then go on to program
additional legs in the manner described above in order to program a
set of legs.
If however, the user wishes to repeat any of the legs, he simply
goes back to the start of the previous leg and depresses button 13.
This in turn copies the previous leg information onto the
subsequent leg. For example if a swimmer was wishing to carry out a
hundred metre swim using a twenty-five metre pool they would wish
to enter information for four separate legs to complete a set. They
can enter a time that they wish to complete each of the legs in and
the stroke rate to be achieved for each leg.
It is also possible to repeat a set and in order to do this the
user depresses button 17 to go backwards through a programmed set
until the first leg of that set is reached. The user then depresses
button 19 which indicates to the input unit that a program is to be
repeated and the user then depresses button 15 until the leg number
after which the program is to be repeated is shown in the display.
Thus, if an initial program had four legs and the user wanted to
repeat those four legs after the final fourth leg he would go back
through the program depressing the button 17 until the leg 1
information was shown, then depresses button 19 followed by button
15 to go back through the leg numbers until the fourth leg is shown
in the LCD display and then button 19 is depressed once more.
The user is then invited to enter a delay or rest interval between
the sets. The user simply depresses button 15 to move upwards
through the numbers until his desired rest interval is displayed in
the LCD display 11.
Once a program is complete buttons 15 and 17 are depressed together
and the user is then instructed to insert the signalling unit into
the recess 21 of the input unit, press the "on" button (FIG. 3 No.
33) on the signalling unit and then instructed to press button 19.
This immediately downloads the information input into the input
unit 3 into the signalling units. If correctly done, the signalling
unit bleeps, indicating that the signalling units has now been
programmed.
The swimmer may now remove the signalling unit 5 from the input
unit 3 for his programmed swimming set. The swimmer secures the
signalling unit 5 in close proximity to the swimmer's skull. For
example the signalling unit may be placed inside the swimmer's cap.
When the swimmer is ready to start a set he simply presses button
33 of the signalling unit 5 whereupon he is given a five second
countdown in the form of audible bleeps, if requested as part of
the program. Once the five second countdown has been completed and
the swimmer has dived into the pool and audible pacing bleep of a
different frequency to that of the five second countdown is emitted
so as to convey to the swimmer his desired stroke rate. A different
frequency longer bleep is emitted when the first split time is
reached. The swimmer would then proceed onto the second leg and the
signalling unit would sound out a pacing bleep corresponding to a
pacing time interval input for that particular leg, until the
second split time bleep is emitted. This proceeds until the
pre-programmed set has been completed.
The swimmer accurately maintains a stroke rate corresponding with
the bleeps emitted by the signalling unit 5 and is additionally
instructed when they should be completing the course by a separate
split time bleep.
FIG. 6 shows a one piece programmable pacing device 50 in
accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention,
which is designed to be worn on the strap of a pair of swimming
goggles. The device 50 comprises a waterproof housing 52 in which
there is contained the necessary programmable processor and battery
unit. The device can also optionally be used as a stopwatch.
The device comprises an LCD display 54, a large start/stop button
56 and three control buttons 58, 60 and 62. The control buttons 58,
60 and 62 control the stopwatch, mode selection and allow
programming of the pacing facility. The device may be programmed in
a manner similar to the two-piece programmable pacing device
described above, but without the need to download information from
an input unit to a signalling unit.
FIG. 7 shows how the programmable pacing device of FIG. 6 is
secured to a swimmer's goggle strap. The device 50 comprises a
hinged portion 64 which opens to allow the goggle strap 66 to be
placed within a small recess 68 formed in the back of the device
50. The hinged portion 64 is then closed to retain the device on
the goggle strap 66. FIG. 8 shows how the device may look when
secured to a swimmer's goggle strap, when worn by a swimmer.
FIG. 9 shows a pair of pacing/swimming goggles 70 in accordance
with a further embodiment of the present invention wherein a pacing
device is formed as an integral component of a pair of swimming
goggles. The pacing device is controlled/programmed by way of two
buttons 72, 74. An example of programming the device is as follows:
button 72 is depressed once followed by a pause of two seconds and
then pressed again four times to designate a stroke rate of 1.4
seconds per stroke. After a further pause of two to three seconds
button 72 is depressed once again to input the time interval. Two
presses followed by a pause and seven presses will enter a split
time of 27 seconds. Depressing of button 74 indicates that the
programming is complete after which a series of bleeps mimicking
the input occurs to allow the user to confirm that the input data
is correct. Depressing button 74 once more would start the pacing
device.
The portable electronic pacing device of the present invention
provides a number of advantages over previously known device. In
particular, the audible signal for instructing the user is not
distracting in any way, unlike the visual pacing devices previously
known.
The device allows complete control for the athlete when planning
the pacing of a training program due to the programmable nature of
the device and this may lead to increased efficiency of training
regimes. The device may be used across all levels of expertise from
beginners through to world class athletes, as the device can be
individually programmed to a user's particular needs.
The device is easily used in conjunction with other training aids
such as lactate training timetables used by swimmers and could
additionally be combined with a heart rate monitor to give an even
more controlled training program.
The signalling unit may receive data from a personal computer,
portable laptop computer or even a palmtop computer through a
serial link or the like. Furthermore data from the device can be
downloaded into a computer. The data can then be used for storage,
records or further analysis.
In addition to finding particular application with regard to
swimmers, other athletes such as tri-athletes may find use for the
device. A tri-athlete could use a headband to which the pacer is
attached and input pace rate for each of the three events
(swimming/cycling/running) that the tri-athlete must complete.
Equally a tri-athlete may remove the head located signalling unit
and fix it to a bike for the cycle leg and then to a wrist strap
housing for the run section.
It will be immediately evident to one skilled in the art that
various modifications can be carried out to the device described
above without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
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